News

University student Ronja Egsmose of Denmark is the newest recipient of the European Athletics and UNESCO certificate recognising the volunteer work of members of the European Athletics Young Leaders Community.

Ronja is a very active member of the athletics club Københavns IF, where she enjoys coaching youngsters and organising youth competitions. She is also a member of the Children and Youth Committee of the Danish Athletics Federation.

To see Ronja’s profile, click here (log-in required).

Certificates are now being sent to members of the community (Bronze for 100 hours, Silver for 250 hours and Gold for 500 hours) and athleticscommunity.org will be publishing spotlight profiles of many of the winners in the coming weeks and months.

Here are excerpts from a brief interview with Ronja:

What is your regular occupation?
If you mean what I do besides sports, I am a student at the University of Copenhagen. Right now, I am completing my masters in geography.

How did you get into volunteering in sport?
At the age of 13, I was asked to become a coach in my club Københavns IF. Since then I have gotten more and more responsibility and taken part in a number of activities in my club, such as work on different committees and projects. I became a member of the Children and Youth Committee of the Danish Athletics Federation after reading a notice on their website that they were looking for young members. I wrote an application and was selected for the committee.

Tell us about the partner organization with whom you have done most of your volunteer hours?
I have done most of my volunteer hours with my club Københavns IF and the Danish Athletics Federation. Almost all my work revolves around children and youth sports. I coach children and organise different events at my club. We also put a lot of emphasis on creating a relationship with local schools. Within the Danish federation, I work on policy making for children and youth sports and also take part in different activities we organise.

What is the most important thing you have gained from your volunteer experience?
I have gained a worldwide network of people interested in sports, from my different travels, taking part in seminars and conferences around Europe. And I have created lifelong friendships with some of these people. 

Do you have a favorite athlete? Who is it and why?
Swedish heptathlon legend Carolina Klüft. She is very talented, and I admire heptathletes (and decathletes) because they excel in so many different events and have the ability to stay focused for two days in a row. I also like Klüft’s way of treating her competitors, cheering for them and creating a sense of solidarity. The way they all go on a victory lap in the stadium after the last event (initiated by Klüft) is admirable, I think!